Winners of the internationally renowned Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Awards were revealed at the glamorous awards ceremony

On Tuesday 9th October, 200 leading figures in global responsible business gathered at Ethical Corporation’s ninth Annual Responsible Business Awards ceremony held at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.

A great variety of different sectors and industries from all over the world were represented. The diversity on display – both in terms of geographical origin and working sphere – demonstrated how delivering a clean, more responsible business future is becoming an international mainstream effort – and opportunity.

Liam Dowd, managing director at Ethical Corporation, stated in his welcome speech: “The past few years I’ve had the pleasure of taking a more central role in the awards and have seen two stand-out trends. The first is the increasing number of entries from across the globe. This year we received over 400 entries, with increasing entries from Brazil, Thailand, India, Australia and China – it’s clear to see that real efforts and demonstrable impacts are being made across the globe.”

It’s clear gains are being made across the globe and that’s only going to increase in the coming years

“Secondly, the level of ambition and impact is only increasing. This year several judges remarked on how impressed they were with the standard of entries and the impacts that they’re making. It’s clear gains are being made across the globe and that’s only going to increase in the coming years,” said Liam.

The chair of the judging committee, Christine Diamente, head of brand at Nokia, said: “This year’s Responsible Business Awards judging has been by far one of the liveliest and most challenging sessions I’ve had the honour of presiding. With a highly esteemed panel of global judges, we spent many hours toiling over the 2018 winners, while also choosing some highly commended submissions to signal a new way forward for companies, organizations and individuals.”

“From renewable energy, to AI, diversity in the mining industry, human rights across organizations, food waste, all the way to tackling societal loneliness — it has been a real inspiration to review each of these submissions and to confirm the winners,” said Christine.

The ceremony was hosted by the lively and impassioned Lucy Siegel, Presenter for BBC’s The One Show and columnist for The Observer.

The winners were as follows…

Innovation of the Year

• Polecat – AI for Sustainability Insight, Stakeholder Engagement & Smart Business Decisions
• Ocean Rainforest – Macro Algae Cultivation Rig
• Flex – Flex Sustainable Solutions
• GOJO - New PURELL® Brand HEALTHY SOAP® with CLEAN RELEASE Technology Sets a New Standard for Soap
• Barclays and Unreasonable Group – Unreasonable Impact
• Compugen Finance – Green4Good and Carbon Bank
• Merck KGaA – Cyrene: A novel bio-based solvent
• LIXIL Corporation – LIXIL's SATO product series
• BioPak – Compostable packaging is the future

WINNER: LIXIL Corporation – LIXIL's SATO product series

“LIXIL has launched an excellent series of products and innovations that help tackle the global sanitation crisis and positively impact the lives of millions of people.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: BioPak – Compostable packaging is the future

“Biopak has created a real alternative to plastic cups integrating a circular economy approach by making them 100% biodegradable. This innovation certainly tackles the global plastic challenge today, it is scalable and can provide huge impact worldwide.

'DSM has put sustainability at the heart of its strategy.' (Credit: DSM)
 

Responsible Business of the Year

• GOJO Industries – Changing How the World Stays Well
• Compugen Finance – Green4Good
• Bridgestone – Tires4ward
• Neal's Yard Remedies – Sustainability improvement and campaigning
• DSM – Brighter Living for All
• PGT-Reclaimed – 20 Years of Furniture with Heart
• BioPak – Leading the market and inspiring more people to join us on the global journey towards zero waste
• Corporacion Punto Azul – "The Pharmaceutical Industry for the benefit of public health, the environment and sustainability"
• Ocado – Ocado's food waste management strategy
• Coca-Cola Company Turkey – Agriculture of the Future

WINNER: DSM – Brighter Living for All

“DSM has shown true ambition over a number of years to put sustainability at the heart of its strategy. The co-creation of new social and environmental measurement and performance standards and transition to renewable energy (100% Netherlands, 50% US) is the ambition we require to meet the Social Development Goals ahead. Bravo!”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Compugen Finance – Green4Good

“Compugen Finance is pioneering a new approach to computer hardware. Through its innovative Green4Good programme it's bringing a fully circular approach to disused computer hardware. A great innovative approach that can be scaled. Well done!”

'Ulula is an interesting start-up that is using AI as an award-winning force.' (Credit: Ulula)
 

New Start-Up of the Year

• Lekela – Delivering clean, reliable energy across Africa
• Ulula – Worker voices to mitigate social risk in the global supply chain
• QuizRR – bringing scalable, fun and transparent worker's rights training to global value chain workers
• Sustainable Platform Pty Ltd – Sustainable Platform
• Hyliion Inc.

WINNER: Ulula – Worker voices to mitigate social risk in the global supply chain

“Ulula is an interesting start-up that is using AI as an award-winning force for good to identify human rights abuses across the supply chain. Judges were impressed by the innovative concept, the scalability factor as well as the scale of wide-ranging partnerships, customers and funding Ulula has achieved since its creation.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lekela – Delivering clean, reliable energy across Africa

“While renewable energy is not a new idea, Lekela has focused on the dual goals of successfully creating a clean power business model, and reinvesting in the local community through education initiatives and creating employment. Clear metrics, clear results, clear commitment to the UN SDGs and Global Compact framework and very scalable for utilities.”

 

(Credit: Kimberly-Clark)
 

Climate Action

• Kimberly-Clark Corporation – Kimberly-Clark Energy & Climate Program
• Flex – Turning the Tide Against Climate Change
• Banco Santander Brasil – Fit to Grow
• RBS – Showing leadership on climate change
• PT Astra International Tbk – Astra Green Energy, Energy Conservation for Better World
• Coca-Cola Company Turkey – Agriculture of the Future

WINNER: Kimberly-Clark Corporation – Kimberly-Clark Energy & Climate Programme

“Kimberly-Clark has impressed judges by the multiplicity and coherence of climate initiatives coupled with robust science-based performance evaluation. Judges noted the Scope 3 emissions reporting, and its plan to address them, as an important factor setting it apart. It has also embraced important partnerships by working with WWF, CDP and WRI. Well done!”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: RBS – Showing leadership on climate change

“RBS’s commitment to clean energy investment and lending, while tackling its own internal emissions led judges to award it this recognition. Impressive leadership on the topic of coal financing, oil sands and Arctic oil projects and other key climate-related projects. We look forward to following its performance over the next year.”

Sustainability Report of the Year

• The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited – HSH CRS Report 2017 – A Vision for Sustainable Luxury
• EDF Energy – The Better Plan
• Novartis International AG – Novartis CR Report An easy to use source of CR data for CR professionals
• Kingfisher plc – Kingfisher Sustainability Report 2017/18
• Flex – 2017 Flex Sustainability Report
• Arcelik A.S. – Arcelik Sustainability Report 2017
• Merck KGaA – Corporate Responsibility Report 2017
• Thai Union – Thai Union 2017 Sustainability Report: Changing Seafood for Good
• Deutsche Telekom AG – Deutsche Telekom CR Report 2017
• American Cleaning Institute – Foundations for Transformation: 2017 Sustainability Report, American Cleaning Institute

WINNER: Novartis International AG – Novartis CR Report: An easy to use source of CR data for CR professionals

“Novartis has developed a comprehensive report that is transparent about the company’s key challenges and objectives while introducing new approaches on quantifying value creation. Clear and varied communications, and judges noted the interactive feedback engagement on major topics to this sustainability report. Certainly, an interesting model for many to follow.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: American Cleaning Institute – Foundations for Transformation: 2017 Sustainability Report, American Cleaning Institute

“A fresh submission from an industry association with clear ambition to drive sustainability change for its members and the sector as a whole. While this report is a highlight summary of some key issues versus a rigorous sustainability report, it does show the growing role of third-party organizations as a way of influencing powerful change in a given sector.”

Integrated Report of the Year

• Luminous – Britvic Annual Report and Accounts 2017
• The AA – Transparency and integrated thinking
• Clariant – All in one - Integrated Report 2017
• ABN AMRO – 2017 Integrated Annual Review
• Garanti Bank – Garanti Bank 2017 Integrated Annual Report
• Vancouver City Savings Credit Union (Vancity) - Vancity 2017 Annual Report: Strengthening Communities
• BASF SE – BASF Report 2017

WINNER: ABN AMRO – 2017 Integrated Annual Review

“ABN AMRO have produced an excellent report that demonstrates a clear focus on integration, with clear metrics, and a clear purpose of the company’s work towards a sustainable economy. Judges would like to highlight IIRC framework adoption with external verification. Judges have seen ABN AMRO apply for this category over the last years and definitely serves as one of the leaders in this field.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Garanti Bank – Garanti Bank 2017 Integrated Annual Report

“A well-structured, easy to read integrated report with a clear understanding of how sustainability issues are driving expectations and practice from the onset and how the bank sees its role in addressing these. The CEO message is premised on sustainability and stakeholder value. The risks and opportunities section also clearly identifies issues, and the materiality discussion provides clarity on the company's engagement and prioritization strategy, including the SDGs.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Clariant – All in one – Integrated Report 2017

“A very thorough report, innovative presentation with the use of a six capitals model to explain its value creation. A well worth read!”

Communications Campaign of the Year

• Given London – Anglian Water Smarter Drop
• Neal's Yard Remedies – Keep Our Oceans Plastic Free (previously Ban Microbeads Now)
• Carlsberg Group – Together Towards ZERO
• East of England Co-op – Co-op Guide to Dating
• Royal Bank of Canada – RBC Future Launch - WE NEED YOUTH
• EDF Energy – Pretty Curious
• WIND Hellas – Porn campaign | kids@safety
• Vector Ltd & Auckland Council – Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge

WINNER: EDF Energy – Pretty Curious

“STEM for girls is not a new topic. What is new about this campaign is how EDF combined the topic with blockbuster cinema to gain real traction and awareness for STEM. Clear ambition, clear metrics, and clear impact. A brilliant campaign!”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: WIND Hellas – Porn campaign | kids@safety

“Child pornography is a very sensitive topic that has been tackled with tact, education avoiding clichéd stereotypes and educating both adults and young adults alike. WIND Hellas tackles this issue in a very innovative way with clear metrics, and ability to be scaled.”

Unilever: 'A real model for an increasingly critical topic in global corporations today.' (Credit: Unilever)
 

Human Rights

• Unilever – Human Rights at Unilever
• Sedex – Tackling modern slavery in the supply chain
• Thai Union Group – Digital Traceability Pilot Project: Raising Human Rights and Worker Voice at Sea
• Co-op Group – Modern Slavery Campaign: Building a Bright Future
• Continental Clothing Co. Ltd – Fair Share Living Wage Programme

WINNER: Unilever – Human Rights at Unilever

“Unilever’s work across a number of fronts is highly admirable from palm oil to land rights to modern slavery. Its commitment to meaningful transparency is especially impressive. Few companies put names and numbers on salient human rights issues within their company – especially when it comes to hard-to-fix issues. Secondly, Unilever’s willingness to effect change through partnership-based dialogue and progressive political engagement is noteworthy as well. A real model for an increasingly critical topic in global corporations today.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Co-op Group – Modern Slavery Campaign: Building a Bright Future

“The Co-op adopts an expansive approach on human trafficking. Its various lobbying efforts demonstrate a clear sign of leadership with impressive commitment to their Bright Future programme. The Co-op’s efforts to build this work placement scheme through coalitions with other employers and charities is highly scalable and hopefully will create a ripple effect beyond its own doors.”

 

'Sedex has demonstrated considerable impact in promoting supply chain transparency.' (Credit: Sedex)
 

Supply Chain Management

• Sedex – Global supply chains, safe-guarding of people and the environment they live in
• Together for Sustainability – Impactful growth and continuous improvement
• Unilever – Responsible Sourcing in Unilever's Supply Chain Management
• WWF – Thai Union and WWF: Working together to source sustainable seafood
• Givaudan SA – Sourcing for Shared Value at Givaudan
• Kimberly-Clark Corporation – Kimberly-Clark Water Security Program

WINNER: Unilever – Responsible Sourcing in Unilever's Supply Chain Management

“Unilever's approach to updating its responsible sourcing policy and extending it to include another 27,000 suppliers, many of which had never before been asked to consider responsible sourcing, environmental concerns or human rights issues, is truly innovative and impressive. Judges were particularly impressed by how in 2017 Unilever took a significant step in supply chain transparency by publishing a list of 1400 of the palm oil mills in its supply chain. It is the first consumer goods company to do so and a model to follow.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Sedex – Global supply chains, safe-guarding of people and the environment they live in

“Sedex has demonstrated considerable impact over a huge breadth of sectors in promoting supply chain transparency. Over the last 18 months, it has had a 24% increase in global impact, with members increasing up to 50,000 organizations across 155 countries. Clearly scalable with excellent impact. Well done!”

“Tesco has put a large amount of resources to this partnership with FareShare.' (Credit: Tesco)
 

Partnership of the Year

• Barclays and Unreasonable Group – Unreasonable Impact
• Google – Global Power Plant Database
• ING, Deloitte, Dell EMC, Dimension Data, and the Centre for Economic Policy Research – Think Forward Initiative
• GSK and Save the Children Partnership
• WWF & Coca-Cola – Securing A Thriving Future for English Rivers
• City Developments Limited – Zero-Energy Singapore Sustainability Academy
• The Co-op & British Red Cross – Tackling Loneliness
• Tesco & FareShare – Community Food Connection

WINNER: Tesco & FareShare – Community Food Connection

“Tesco has put a large amount of resources and commitment to this partnership with FareShare, including the personal commitment of its CEO Dave Lewis, who leads the global Champions 12.3 initiative to tackle food waste globally. It is the only supermarket to report transparently on its food waste. The fact that the technology is open share helps scalability.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: WWF and Coca-Cola – Securing A Thriving Future for English Rivers

“WWF and Coca Cola partnership has delivered substantial impact, engaging with over 2,500 farmers and successfully returned more than 1 billion litres of water to the environment. The partnership engages with government, NGOs, communities and business, so covering a large number of stakeholders.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Co-op & British Red Cross – Tackling Loneliness

“The partnership between the Co-op and the British Red Cross is a pioneering one that has tackled the little-understood issue of loneliness on a national scale. As the entry says, this has been an entirely new approach for a charity partnership, going into traditionally government-owned space of designing and delivering society-scale responses. A worthy memorial to Jo Cox.”

'AstraZeneca has made credible inroads in behaviour change, research and advocacy.' (Credit: YHP)
 

Community Investment of the Year

• AstraZeneca – Young Health Programme
• LifeStraw – Giving Back Through Retail
• IBM – P-TECH 9-14 School Model: Transforming Life Trajectories
• Abbott – Driving social impact and creating shared value in India
• Flex – Flex as Community Leader
• Ocado – Ediblelinks – Empowering Communities with Food Surplus
• OP Financial Group – Hiiop100.fi – The online matchmaker for volunteering in Finland
• Tesco – Tesco Bags of Help
• Royal Bank of Canada – RBC Blue Water Project
• The Collaboration Vector / SeaLand – SeaLand's Transformative Community Involvement Program

WINNER: AstraZeneca – Young Health Programme

“AstraZeneca tips a very strong field across all three aspects of innovation, impact and scalability. On impact alone, its work on a critical global issue such as NCDs is remarkable. It has made credible inroads at multiple levels: direct behaviour change, research and advocacy. The investment to output ratio is especially impressive clearly linking back to the business. A real model to study.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: IBM – P-TECH 9-14 School Model – Transforming Life Trajectories

“A fantastic programme by IBM offering life-changing skills to low-income youth. This could potentially be a model for reform in the secondary education system that is innovative and scalable.”

Teck Resources has made an Impressive impact where diversity can be challenging. (Credit: Teck)
 

Diversity and Inclusion

• Kimberly-Clark Corporation – Kimberly-Clark Diversity & Inclusion Program
• Teck Resources – Diversity and Inclusion at Teck
• Shaw – The Shaw Way: Demonstrating Inclusive Leadership
• C&A and C&A Foundation – Inspiring World

WINNER: Teck Resources – Diversity and Inclusion at Teck

“Teck Resources is a very innovative mining company that addressed diversity through various angles from working with native communities, women as well as transgender employees. Impressive impact for a company where diversity can be challenging, with a firm commitment to empowering local native communities.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kimberly-Clark Corporation – Kimberly-Clark Diversity & Inclusion Program

“Gender diversity today is increasingly the top topic at board room tables. Kimberly Clark over the last 2 years has increased their women leadership roles by 30% with clear commitment to follow up capacity building. Impressive impact and scalable. Judges look forward to seeing how this company evolves in the future as a model for others.”

Darian McBain, Global Director of Sustainability, Thai Union. (Credit: Thai Union)
 

Business Leader of the Year

• Richard Liu – JD.com
• Darian McBain – Thai Union
• Jessica Lopez – U Haul
• Dr Mark Andrich – Sustainable Platform Pty Ltd

WINNER: Darian McBain – Thai Union

“Noted for her expertise, judges recognised Darian McBain’s passion across environment and social areas. With a clear effort to address issues in her own business, she has impacted an overall challenging industry as well as making important contributions to academia.”

“Some of her key achievements include developing and implementing ethical migrant recruitment policies, being one of the founding participants in the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship Initiative and negotiating a landmark agreement with Greenpeace for sustainable and socially responsible seafood which led to a Vessel Code of Conduct. A worthy winner of this year’s Business Leader of the Year Award!” (See How Darian McBain brought about a sea change in sustainable fishing)

      

'Christiana Figueres has helped lay the foundations for a more sustainable for future generation.'
 

Lifetime Achievement Award

“Christiana Figueres has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for achieving one of the most challenging tasks of our era. In 2010 Figueres was tasked with halting the disastrous impacts of global warming and putting climate change front and centre of the world stage.

Her bold, steadfast and passionate commitment culminated in 195 countries signing the Climate Agreement in Paris in December 2015. This has laid a roadmap for countries and companies to follow to ensure we avoid the disastrous impacts of climate change. And this roadmap is fast-becoming a central component to future strategies for some of the world’s largest companies.

And, whilst Christiana continues her passionate work with Mission 2020 as well as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, the judges felt it was right to recognize and congratulate on being the catalyst behind the Climate Agreement.

Christiana has helped lay the foundations for a more sustainable for future generations. Thank you!” (See video acceptance speech and challenge from Christiana Figueres)

Responsible Business  Responsible Business Awards  business leaders 

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