For the fifth year in a row, Maclean’s has partnered with Sustainalytics, a global leader in sustainability analysis, to select 50 leaders in corporate social responsibility–companies who know that doing good is just good business. Canada’s Top 50 Socially Responsible Companies were selected on the basis of their performance across a broad range of environmental, social, and governance indicators and rank at the top of their industry groups.
Banks continue to face scrutiny for their lending and investment activities, including those related to environmentally sensitive projects. Some banks have effectively used their market power to back high-impact sustainable projects such as renewable energy. Credit unions and co-operatives are increasingly influential, due not only to their prudent lending practices but also their development of local communities.
Bank of Montreal
The Co-Operators Group Ltd.
Desjardins Group
Royal Bank of Canada
TD Bank Group
Vancity (Vancouver City Savings Credit Union)
Energy and utility companies are major emitters of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants that contribute to climate change, acid rain and smog. As these companies expand their operations to higher-risk and remote areas, health and safety issues, bribery and corruption, and community relations present new and urgent challenges. Recent industry collaborations have allowed companies to share best practices, develop common evaluation methods and accelerate significant change.
Cenovus Energy
Suncor Energy Inc.
Talisman Energy Inc.
TransAlta Corp.
In response to consumer and regulatory pressure, food and beverage companies are focusing on innovation and education to launch healthier and more sustainable foods. As demand increases across new markets, companies must work closely with suppliers to ensure safe working conditions and product quality. Natural resource shortages, climate change and waste management remain critical issues.
Danone
Kellogg Company
Molson Coors Brewing Company
PepsiCo, Inc
Starbucks Corporation
Tim Hortons Inc.
Many industrial companies are involved in intensive manufacturing processes where employee health and safety is paramount. Additionally, the use of chemical coatings, heavy metals and volatile organic compounds results in significant greenhouse-gas emissions and hazardous waste generation. Leading companies are integrating sustainable practices into early design decisions and product innovations.
3M Co.
General Electric Company
Philips Electronics
As one of the most carbon-intensive industries, mining and materials companies face considerable exposure to a broad scope of environmental issues, including emissions, waste, biodiversity and land protection. In particular, companies engaged in gold mining have to ensure the safe handling, storing and disposal of cyanide, widely used in the industry to separate gold from the ore. These companies must also address employee and contractor health and safety, and community relations. If poorly managed, these issues can result in significant reputational and financial impacts.
Cascades Inc.
IAMGOLD
Teck
When it comes to employee and contractor rights, retailers continue to attract concern from a variety of stakeholders. Additionally, greenhouse-gas emissions from retail facilities, transportation and logistics and waste management are key environmental challenges. Effective management of these issues directly contributes to a retailer’s reputation, which is of particular importance in a consumer-driven industry.
Best Buy Co. Inc.
Loblaw Companies Limited
Rona Inc
Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd.
Given the industry’s rapid consumption cycles and continuous pressure to innovate, technology companies are exposed to significant supply-chain risks, including worker safety and human-rights concerns, along with serious environmental impacts. Leading companies involve their suppliers throughout the value chain to minimize negative impacts over the course of a product’s lifecycle.
Accenture plc
Cisco Systems Inc.
Dell Inc.
Intel Corp.
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)
SAP Canada Inc.
Similar to the technology industry, complex supply-chain risks present challenges, particularly the sourcing of conflict minerals. Water use, emissions and waste generation account for much of the industry’s environmental footprint.
BCE Inc.
Nokia Corp.
Sony Corporation
Telus Corp.
Recent high-profile controversies surrounding industry working conditions have put labour concerns back in the spotlight. Throughout the supply chain, poor labour conditions threaten basic human rights and present reputational risks to consumer-sensitive companies. Moreover, environmental impacts persist, including high levels of water consumption and waste-water discharge. Increasingly, companies are participating in multi-stakeholder initiatives to address environmental and social risks associated with manufacturing and consumption.
AdidasGildan Activewear
Hennes & Mauritz AB
Nike Inc.
Zara (Industria de Diseño Textil SA)
Gap Inc.
As a leading contributor to global emissions, the transportation industry is subject to increasingly stringent emission regulations. Simultaneously, consumers face persistently high fuel costs. These trends are driving some companies to make improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency and pursue innovative design. Social concerns such as employee safety and union relations continue to be highly relevant.
BMWCanadian National Railway Co.
Ford Motor Company
United Parcel Services Inc.
Volkswagen