Sustainability Leadership Perspective: Electronics

Introduction

Internet, Software & Media

Food Services

Food & Beverage

Electronics

Consumer Shipping

Apparel

Airlines

Banks

Household

Hotels

Summary

Electronics

Whether you are wired or wireless, you know the companies in the Electronics sector well. The best of these companies seem to make sure the latest technology is consistent with the most current thinking about corporate climate leadership. They’re doing everything from reducing emissions in their production processes, to offering new products that require less energy, to taking back products that are obsolete and turning them into the next big thing.

The range of scores in this sector is intriguing. Most notably, this sector showcased one of the strongest examples of a company with both well-aligned “actual” and “perceived” scores (i.e., HP had a differential of only 10 points). It appears HP has been producing sustainability-driven products since the 1990s — and a remarkable communications campaign touting them as well. We think by acting early on this future trend and sticking close to sound consumer insights, HP widened the gap between the market leader and the followers. In short, HP has had more time to fail faster — to develop processes, materials, practices and partnerships (e.g., Sustainability Consortium, their in-house think tank).

In a category where many of the products are disposed of within their first year of existence, we suspect companies view the endless life cycle analysis of their new product pipeline as an immense challenge that takes the notion of real innovation to a higher level. We believe that if you’re not already growing with green or going there soon, you’re probably behind your competitors already.