How did the organizations I explored address sustainability concerns inherent to their industry, if at
all?
Industry: Chocolate; Impact: Environment. Nestlé is striving for their 2030 goal of zero
environmental impact in their operations, with attention on reducing water withdrawals, increasing
renewable energy use, zero waste to landfill and innovating sustainable packaging solutions. In
December 2020, Nestlé launched their Net Zero Roadmap, with their intention to halve absolute
emissions by 2030 and bring them to net zero by 2050. This will require Nestlé to address emissions
throughout their value chain, implementing regenerative agriculture and agroforestry and land
restoration. This roadmap will transform the way they operate to reach their goal. They have
invested $1.2 billion towards regenerative agriculture across their supply chain. They are ahead of
their goal in manufacturing, packaging and carbon-neutral brands.
Industry: Coffee; Impact: Customer Service. There was an unfortunate incident where two African
American businessmen, Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson, ordered from the coffee shop while
waiting for a business meeting, an employee needlessly reported the two men to the police for
making a purchase and refusing to leave, in which the police arrested the men. Starbucks
immediately released a statement of apology and began to correct this issue immediately. CEO Kevin
Johnson implemented Anti-bias training for 175,000 partners. In addition, Starbucks engaged former
U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. and Covington & Burling, LLP to conduct an assessment of
Starbucks’ policies, procedures, and initiatives. "Progress Report describes Starbucks’ efforts during
the last year to operationalize the Company’s commitment to civil rights and equal treatment in the
four categories discussed in the 2019 Report: (1) Sustaining the Third Place; (2) Fostering an Internal
Culture of Equity and Inclusion; (3) Community Engagement; and (4) The Importance of Leadership"
(Starbucks, 2019).
What other sustainable practices did the organizations you explored identify as priorities, and what
kinds of business risks may they be taking on to prioritize those sustainable practices?
Through non-GMO breeding, Nestlé plant scientists recently discovered unique low carbon and
drought resistant coffee varieties. Other new low carbon, disease and drought resistant coffee plant
varieties are still in the works. Per Nestlé’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
(TCFD) Report, here are the risks:
Starbucks also is transparent and receives third-party audits for sustainability.
A comprehensive Environmental Baseline Audit conducted by Quantis in partnership with the World
Wildlife Foundation in 2020 showed that a strong level of corporate participation in the S&P Global
CSA with 238 companies participating for the first time. The risk is if the audit comes back with a
huge issue, it could cost more money to initially implement a solution.
Name some specific impacts of not remaining competitive in the market based on what you learned
from your reading in the Resources section.
Benefits include commitment from not only consumers, but also employees, shareholders, and
community. By reducing the costs of resources, operating profits are improved, and the main
benefits are the low negative impacts upon the environment and all life.
Do you think that the business risks the organizations are taking to prioritize their identified
sustainable operations are worthwhile from a business perspective? Why or why not?
I do think the business risks Nestlé and Starbucks are taking to prioritize the identified sustainable
operations are worthwhile from a business perspective. First off, it is a given that it is a very wise
business move for Starbucks to improve diversity, culture, and treatment of customers. Nestlé
discovered unique low carbon and drought resistant coffee varieties from growing non-GMO and
that will definitely be a profit.
How did the organizations you explored address sustainability concerns inherent to their industry, if
at all?
Dixie brand is committed to ensuring continuous growth and conservation of natural resources
specifically forests and trees. They do this by ensuring for every tree used there is a new one
planted to grow in its place. They are also sure to use every part of the tree eliminating natural
waste. c They do not buy wood from endangered forest and ensure the wood they uses is sustainably
sources. (Georgia-Pacific, 2022)
What other sustainable practices did the organizations you explored identify as priorities, and what
kinds of business risks may they be taking on to prioritize those sustainable practices?
Not only does Dixie eliminate tree/wood waste it also takes care and effort to ensure water saved.
Their paper making process allows for very little water to be consumed and most to be recycled and
reused. By implementing these processes and water saving practices the very likely to make
operational practices more expensive. (Georgia-Pacific, 2022) (Soomo Learning, 2020)
Do you think that the business risks the organizations are taking to prioritize their identified
sustainable operations are worthwhile from a business perspective? Why or why not?
I do believe the risk of operational expense is worthwhile. Dixie is a strong consumer name and
although it might be a little more expensive people are likely willing not pay for a top-quality product
that offers sustainability. Tree and water conservation is an initiative that has been taught to our
youth for decades. c In my opinion and speaking for myself it is a driving factor of how I can make an
impact on sustainability. c It is something easy that I can control myself with how much I contribute to
waste or which products I choose to purchase. c As I’ve mentioned in my prior posts, and we explored
in our readings often if a consumer is willing to pay more for sustainability comes down to cost and
means to pay that extra money. In this case I think the quality of their good coupled with true
sustainability.
(Georgia-Pacific, 2022) (Soomo Learning, 2020)
How did the organizations you explored address sustainability concerns inherent to their industry, if
at all?
For example, a company that manufactures plastic has inherent environmental risks regarding
plastic waste and pollution.
I chose to explore Starbucks and their commitment to sustainability. c One concern addressed under
the "Planet" portion of their Starbucks Stories page was their journey to sustainable dairy. One
concern that they are addressing is supporting long term health of the dairy industry by ethically
sourcing. CAFE (Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices), created in 2004, establishes guidelines of
social, environmental and economic criteria that needs to be met by farmers that do business with
Starbucks. "Dairy is the biggest contributor to Starbucks carbon footprint and the second highest
contributor to water withdrawal" (stories.starbucks.com, 2021). Together, Starbucks and farmers
work closely to reduce carbon emissions and water withdrawal.
What other sustainable practices did the organizations you explored identify as priorities, and what
kinds of business risks may they be taking on to prioritize those sustainable practices?
Other practices that are being explored through Starbucks for sustainability are The Starbucks
Greener Stores being opened in North America in 2022. c These stores are "labs" that will be used to
test sustainable solutions, including recycling and composting and reducing energy consumption.
These practices are to aid in the reduction of carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste. The
potential risk for this is high spending on the design and implementation of new and innovative state
of the art practices, which can be costly, as well as training employees for this transition.
Do you think that the business risks the organizations are taking to prioritize their identified
sustainable operations are worthwhile from a business perspective? Why or why not?
I believe the risks are worthwhile from a business point of view because when people see that a
company is committed to environmental stewardship and has a passion for a more sustainable
future, it makes them feel better about doing business with them and using/consuming their
products. c It also positively promotes their brand, making them a desirable place for people to want
to come and work, as well as partner up with for business and invest in.
Starbucks journey to Sustainable Dairy. Starbucks Journey to Sustainable Dairy. (n.d.). Retrieved
January 19, 2022, from https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-journey-to-
sustainable-dairy/
Georgia-Pacific. 2022. Sustainability Starts at the source.
https://www.dixie.com/sustainability?utm_source=GOOGLE&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Cu
ps%20-%20Non%20Brand%20-%20Sustainability%20-
%20BMM&utm_term=%20sustainable%20%20companies&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjpD5zaHD6gIVIgiICR
0PkgjPEAAYASAAEgLTzPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Soomo Learning. (2020). People, planet, and profit. https://www.webtexts.com
Nestle. (2020). Nestlé's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report 2020.
Nestlé Global.
https://www.nestle.com/nestl%C3%A9s-task-force-climate-related-financial-disclosures-tcfd-report-
2020
Nestle. (2020). Nestle Net Zero Roadmap. Retrieved 1/20/2022 from nestle-net-zero-roadmap-
en.pdf
Starbucks. (2019). Global Environmental and Social Impact Report. Retrieved 01/20/2022 from
https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/starbucks-global-environmental-and-social-impact-
report-2020/
