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When asked, companies have ranked the top global sustainability challenges as education, poverty eradication, climate change, and growth and employment. Today, although there is certain level of progress being made when it comes to companies (12,000 companies in 143 countries) committing to integrate sustainability into their strategies and operations, a recent survey by the United Nations Global Compact showed that there is a large gap between what these companies are saying they will do, and what they are actually doing (or not doing). Out of the 65% of the companies that have committed to integrate sustainability into their strategies and operations, only 35% have actually begun taking action in training their workers.

Although I believe that this is a good start and such sustainability initiatives will have positive outcomes in the long run, it also seems possible that some large companies are sometimes committing to such sustainability causes solely to create a good public image. In my opinion, from an ethical point of view, it is essential that the remaining companies be openly and repeatedly reminded about initiating action towards their stated commitments.

Connor, Michael. “Business Ethics.” Business Ethics RSS. Business Ethics- The Magazine of Corporate Responsibility, 6 Sept. 2013. Web. 10 Sept. 2013. <http://business-ethics.com/2013/09/06/1132-sustainability-progress-more-words-than-action/>