Environmental Sustainability
Companies that assess, manage, and communicate their environmental sustainability performance are known to reduce risk, identify cost savings, plus improve efficiency and business continuity. They also mitigate negative impacts on local communities and the planet. Today’s businesses can positively differentiate themselves by developing commitments that make good business and environmental sense.
Access to more in-depth content is available to BCCCC members.
Catch Up on the Latest Research on Sustainability & Business
Takeaway: Consumer purchase satisfaction, willingness to pay a premium price, and purchase frequency of environmentally friendly products all increase when they perceive personal responsibility and value for the money.
Researchers analyzed responses to a questionnaire completed by more than 700 consumers who had purchased environmentally friendly products to determine which factors influence purchase satisfaction, willingness to pay a premium price for green products, and frequency of green product purchase...
Executives love stories and they need facts. Delivered twice monthly, this series of research studies can help you create the best business case for your programs. If your company is a member, you have access to hundreds of these program-defining studies. Simply log in to browse them. If your company is not yet a member, ask us about joining!
WATCH: The Latest Videos on Environmental Sustainability Issues
BCCCC maintains a robust video library on CSR and ESG topics like corporate community involvement. Most of these videos—including main stage sessions from our annual Conference and monthly webinar recordings—are available to BCCCC members only. Enjoy this brief clip as a sample of our video library.
WEBINAR: Embracing Sustainability in an Economic Downturn
This clip offers a look at how Synopsys, Exelon, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals have approached the decision to commit to carbon neutrality and what it means for corporate citizenship programs and initiatives.
Member Voices | Environmental Sustainability
Edelman
Managing Director, Global Engagement and Corporate Responsibility
"There is a growing recognition among professional services firms that sustainability is no longer a peripheral concern but a central business imperative. Firms are increasingly integrating sustainability into their core strategies, recognizing that it is essential for long-term success and competitiveness. This shift is driven by a combination of factors, including increasing client demands, regulatory pressures, and a growing awareness of the risks and opportunities associated with sustainability."
DISCUSS: Opportunities to Engage with Sustainability Peers
Our roots in one of world's leading business schools is one advantage we can offer the corporate citizenship community. Our membership—comprised of 10,000+ professionals from companies around the world—is another. Executives come to BCCCC for opportunities to discuss, share, ideate, collaborate... We offer a variety of formats and forums for this purpose. Please note that all of the following discussion venues, not including our annual Conference, are exclusively available to BCCCC members. We welcome you to learn more about each one, and ask about membership for your company.
Environmental Sustainability 101: Basic Questions & Concepts
Environmental sustainability is the responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources and allow for long-term environmental quality. It involves practices that support ecological balance, reduce pollution, and conserve resources to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.
Environmental sustainability is crucial for businesses as it helps reduce operational costs, enhances brand reputation, ensures compliance with regulations, and mitigates risks related to environmental damage. Sustainable practices also contribute to long-term business viability by securing resources and fostering positive relationships with stakeholders.
Examples of sustainable practices include reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy sources, minimizing waste through recycling and composting, conserving water, implementing sustainable supply chain management, and promoting eco-friendly products and packaging.
Start by conducting an environmental audit to assess your current impact. Set measurable sustainability goals, such as reducing carbon emissions or water usage. Develop and implement a sustainability strategy, educate and involve employees, and continuously monitor and report on your progress. Partnering with sustainability experts or organizations can also provide valuable guidance.
Environmental sustainability is a key component of CSR, as it reflects a company's commitment to ethical behavior, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. Incorporating sustainability into CSR initiatives can enhance a company's reputation, attract customers and investors, and contribute to overall corporate success.
Challenges include the initial costs of sustainable technologies and practices, resistance to change within the organization, lack of knowledge or expertise, and navigating complex regulations. However, these challenges can be overcome through strategic planning, employee engagement, continuous education, and leveraging available resources and support.
The Center for Corporate Citizenship (BCCCC) is a corporate membership organization dedicated to advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and disclosure. We combine the most valuable aspects of a professional network with the resources of a leading academic institution, housed within the Boston College Carroll School of Management. Our membership includes over 500 socially responsible companies and more than 10,000 individual professionals worldwide.
At BCCCC, we help companies improve their CSR and ESG efforts by providing a wide variety of resources and globally recognized learning and networking opportunities. Our services include:
- Sustainability Assessments: Comprehensive evaluations to understand your current environmental impact and identify areas for improvement.
- Strategy Development: Guidance in creating effective sustainability strategies tailored to your business needs.
- Training and Workshops: Educational programs to build your team’s expertise in sustainability practices and principles.
- Empirical Evidence Support: Helping your decision-making processes with data-backed insights and research.
- Real-time Peer Support: Facilitating connections with a network of professionals for sharing best practices and solutions.
Many of our resources are member-exclusive, offering access to in-depth tools, reports, and consultations. However, we also provide free resources like our blog, webinars, and the International Corporate Citizenship Conference, where you can learn about topics such as mentoring in the workplace and supplier diversity programs.
Companies typically seek our assistance in three main areas: enhancing their environmental sustainability practices, improving social responsibility initiatives, and strengthening governance and transparency. By joining BCCCC, your company gains access to invaluable support and expertise to achieve your sustainability goals.
Member Services Associate
February 2026
Understanding Water Scarcity and Its Global Significance
Water scarcity is no longer a distant environmental risk — it's a present-day business and humanitarian crisis. With nearly two-thirds of the global population already experiencing severe water shortages, companies face mounting pressure to treat water stewardship as a core component of their ESG strategies. This piece explores the scale of the challenge, what's at stake financially and socially, and how leading corporations are turning water risk into a competitive advantage.
- The human stakes are high. Billions of people face unreliable access to clean water, with the most vulnerable communities — children, low-income populations, and arid regions — bearing the greatest burden.
- Water risk is business risk. Industries from agriculture to semiconductors face real exposure through supply chain disruption, rising costs, and reputational pressure tied to water use.
- Corporate leadership is making a difference. Companies like Microsoft, Ecolab, and Watts Water are proving that smart investment in water efficiency and stewardship can deliver both environmental impact and long-term business value.
Recommended Reading on Environmental Sustainability in Business
STATE OF CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
Access: BCCCC Members Only; Executive Summary Available for Non-Members
Reading Time: 30 minutes
Helpful When: Exploring how business leaders view environmental sustainability
ESG PROCESS GOVERANCE TOOLKIT
Access: BCCCC Members Only; Non-Members Request Access via the button below
Reading Time: 60 minutes
Helpful When: Reorganizing ESG processes to address new regulations
PRO SERVICES SUSTAINABILITY BULLETIN
Access: BCCCC Members Only; Non-Members Request Access via the button below
Reading Time: 30 minutes
Helpful When: Staying current on best practices in professional services sustainability
LEARN: Grow Your Environmental Sustainability Knowledge
BCCCC aims to help corporate citizenship professionals know more, do more, and achieve more. Learning is a key piece of what we offer. And because we are housed in Boston College's prestigious Carroll School of Management, you can trust we are well-positioned to help you grow your knowledge—whether you choose to take a course, earn your certificate, or simply read our latest articles on environmental sustainability.
Take a Course
BCCCC offers nearly two dozen self-paced, online courses, including Environmental Sustainability 101 and Fundamentals of Sustainability Reporting. Browse all our online course options.
Earn Your Certificate
BCCCC's Sustainability Reporting certificate is a globally recognized credential in the field. We also offer more general certification in all dimensions of corporate citizenship, management, and leadership.
Join the Center
Some of our best learning opportunities (research, conversations with other sustainability professionals, webinars, etc.) is reserved for our members. Ask us about membership for your company!
Bundle and Save
Did you know you can combine your membership with add-ons like online courses, in-person learning, or team training?