Giving Compass' Take:

• Mario Abreu, Vice President Environment at Tetra Pak, describes how the company puts sustainability at the core of its work and brand promise. 

• Abreu says that "no business can succeed in the long run without a well thought-through sustainability strategy." Does this ring true? Are there still successful companies that do not prioritize CSR or sustainability?

• Read about what makes a successful corporate social responsibility plan. 

Sustainability has always been at the heart of Tetra Pak’s corporate strategy, in fact it’s embedded in our brand promise — Protect What’s Good. I think we’re very influenced by our Swedish heritage, where nature and its resources play a central role.

As a business our future depends on our ability to provide safe, secure and sustainable products to consumers. No business can succeed in the long run without a well thought-through sustainability strategy, particularly as it is businesses that are best attuned to feel the impact of the global drivers that undermine business continuity, i.e. the risks and opportunities related to responsible business behavior.

As a company we recognize that we can have the greatest impact on those goals that are most closely aligned with our business model and strategic priorities. That's why, last year we undertook a rigorous materiality assessment identifying and prioritizing those aspects of our business where we could have the greatest positive impact for our customers, our business and society. All 14 priority areas identified help us contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this way the SDGs and materiality assessment complement each other. It makes sense for companies to link the SDGs to the identified material topics and business strategy of the company. Based on this mapping exercise a company can act on the SDGs on which it has the most material aspect (both positive and negative).

Currently, we’re focusing on those goals that relate directly to our core business and our work to promote sustainability, and where we believe we can make a positive difference. We believe that this is how businesses can best adopt the SDGs as a framework for action.

Read the full article about how corporations can achieve Sustainable Development Goals by Mario Abreu at TriplePundit.