An impressive 13 Canadian companies have been named to the list of the world’s most sustainable corporations, the Corporate Knights 2021 Global 100 index. As Canada’s cleantech ecosystem accelerator, Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre salutes these companies, who are actively leading the global transition to a green economy.
“We are delighted to see Canada punching above our weight in this important global ranking,” says Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight. “Most importantly, there’s proof that going green is good for business – this is a message we want to amplify across the country.”
Companies on the Global 100 list consistently outperform their peers, according to research by Corporate Knights, who compile the list. Global 100 companies have generated a return of 263% over the past 15 years, compared to a 220% increase of the All Country World Index. And members of the Global 100 earn more of their revenues from products or services aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Pandemic is Not Stalling Sustainability
While the 2008/09 financial crisis caused governments to pull back from climate change commitments, the pandemic has accelerated the shift to a green economy, according to Corporate Knights in their announcement of this year’s list.
“Rather than abandon sustainability pledges, governments around the world have seized on the opportunity presented by the need to kick-start their economies to inject trillions of dollars of green investments into their stimulus plans.”
Foresight to Global 100 Companies: Join Us!
Foresight is committed to supporting problem-driven innovation, and invites companies on the Global 100 list – and any organization committed to addressing sustainability challenges – to take part in an Innovation Challenge. This ground-breaking initiative connects industry to the ideas and technologies needed to scale their businesses in a green way through Reverse Pitches. Industry players describe their challenge to Canada’s best and brightest innovators and entrepreneurs, who respond with solutions.
Foresight hosts Innovation Challenges regularly, connecting companies like Lafarge, Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), and Vestas with cleantech solutions. See Challenge case studies.
We’ve got the network – bring us your challenge.
Some of Canada’s largest companies are among the 13 honoured in this year’s Global 100 ranking including Canadian Tire Corporation, Teck Resources, and Telus. Notables Stantec Inc. and Canadian National Railway are among the top 10. The program evaluates 24 key indicators including clean revenue, carbon productivity, and leadership diversity.
Congratulations to those who made this year’s list. We look forward to seeing more homegrown innovation honoured on a global scale in the years to come.
See the full list: 2021 Global 100 ranking.
